Y’S CORNER Veterans Come Home With Invisible Wounds HECK CHRONICLES
The dedicated men and women of our military sacrifice a lot to protect our freedom. After finishing their deployment and serving overseas, many return home with truly debilitating issues. It doesn’t matter whether it’s physical or mental; these individuals often need help and support readjusting to society and continuing their lives in the healthiest manner possible. Thankfully, a special program called K9s For Warriors provides veterans with a helpful companion through their Warrior & Service Dog Program. This organization provides veterans impacted by PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, or military sexual trauma with a service dog at no cost. Once the veterans apply and are accepted into the program, they’re invited to a facility for an 18-day training program. The dogs have already been professionally trained, so it’s all about bonding. The veterans are even provided housing, meals, equipment, veterinary care, and training as part of the process. Once the bond is successful, the veteran heads home with their new companion. Recently, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran named Hannah participated in the program. In 2019, she was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq before receiving the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal in 2020 for her work with the Marine Corps Recruitment Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon returning home, she started to feel the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, and K9s For Warriors paired her with a golden retriever named Nola. Nola’s arrival couldn’t have been at a more perfect time, as a month later, he joined Hannah as she walked down the aisle at her wedding. Hannah stated, “This was one of the most important moments of my life, and he helped keep my anxiety grounded and reminded me to stay present. Knowing he was there by my side gave me a sense of calm and confidence that made the day even more meaningful.” Hannah and Nola’s story is just one of many that K9s For Warriors has made possible. Over the next few years, the program hopes to provide more veterans in need with a constant companion to make life easier. This Program Is Helping Them Heal
microchip information is all up to date. Please go to your microchip site and verify your contact information (name, address, phone number, emergency contacts, etc.) and ensure the microchip is still registered. (Psst … you can even upload a photo of your pet on the site!) If you haven’t microchipped your pet(s) yet, what are you waiting for? Microchipping is a quick, safe,
and easy procedure, similar to administering a vaccine, and the microchip itself is a tiny device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted underneath the skin between the shoulder blades. Trust me, it’s no big deal! One thing to remember: A microchip is not like a GPS; you can’t use it to track your pet(s) if you lose them. Think of it more as a permanent form of identification that stays with us everywhere we go.
On that note, I’m off to get some lunch … at home , I promise!
Banana Dog Treats INGREDIENTS
• 3 medium bananas • 3 1/2 cups oats, divided • 2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1 tbsp flax seeds or chia seeds, optional
DIRECTIONS
• •
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl.
• Place 2 1/2 cups of oats in a food processor and grind until they are a flour-like consistency. • Add processed oats, cinnamon, flax or chia seeds, and remaining oats to the mixing bowl and combine. • Lightly dust the surface with flour and roll out the dough to approximately 1/4-inch thick. • Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. • Bake for 15 minutes. Remove and let sit for 2 hours. • Let your furry friend enjoy! Note: Store remaining treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
PetersenPetHospital.com
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